MoS₂/Au-Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays with Core-Shell Nanostructure for Hydrogen Production

Herein, a TiO₂ NTAs-Au-MoS₂ core-shell photoanode was constructed with the intention to fulfill the efficient transfer of photo-generated carriers to the photoelectrode's surface. Au nanoparticles were decorated by a drop casting method, and the MoS₂ layer was deposited above the Au nanoparticles using a photoreduction-annealing process. Au nanoparticles were well dispersed on the inner wall of the TiO₂ nanotubes and covered by the MoS₂ layer, forming a core-shell nanostructure. The MoS₂ layer significantly improved the attachment between Au nanoparticles and TiO₂ NTAs, resulting in increased PEC stability and performance. Attributed to the excitation of Au nanoparticles' localized surface plasmon resonance effect and visible light utilization of MoS₂, the TiO₂ NTAs-Au-MoS₂ core-shell photoanode exhibits greatly enhanced photocurrent density. An increase from 67μA/cmto 234μA/cmunder Xe lamp illumination and from 2.6μA/cmto 12.6μA/cmunder visible light illumination (>420nm) compared with the TiO₂ NTAs was observed.